Degenerative amplifier



April 13, 1954 JACQUES l. PANTCHECHNIKOFF 2,675,433

NOW BY CHANGE OF NAME JACQUES ISAAC PANKOVE DEGENERATIVE AMPLIFIER Filed April 27, 1950 map INVENTOR .TAERIUES I. FANTEHELHNIKIJFF BY ATTORNEY Patenied Apr. 13, 1954 DEGENERATIVE AMPLIFIER Jacques I. Pantchechnikoif, now by change of name Jacques Isaac Pankove, Princeton, N. J., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a

corporation of Delaware Application April 27, 1950, Serial No. 158,359

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to degenerative amplifiers, and more particularly relates to a degenerative feedback amplifier utilizing a semi-conductor device having a rectifier section and an amplifier section.

The degenerative amplifier of the present invention utilizes a semi-conductor device consisting of an amplifier section and a rectifier section having a common electrode, as disclosed and claimed in applicant's copending application, Serial No. 84,671, filed March 31, 1949, and as signed to the same assignee as this application. The device referred to consists of a semi-conductor amplifier or transistor having an additional rectifying electrode which cooperates with the base electrode of the amplifier section to provide a rectifier.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved degenerative amplifier utilizing a combined semi-conductor rectifier and amplifier device of the type above referred to.

A further object of the invention is to provide a degenerative amplifier of the type referred to where the amount of degeneration may be adjusted thereby to suppress either partially or entirely a predetermined polarity of the input signal such as the negative portion thereof.

The degenerative amplifier circuit of the present invention comprises a semi-conductor device having a semi-conducting crystal. A base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrod are in contact with the crystal. A further electrode is in rectifying contact with the crystal and forms together with the base electrode, the rectifier section of the device.

An input signal is impressed on the base electrode while the amplified output signal is derived from the collector electrode. A degenerative feedback path is provided between the collector electrode and the additional rectifier electrode of the device. Accordingly, a certain polarity of the amplified output signal will render the rec'- tifier conducting so that a current will flow in the external base circuit. This current opposes the current developed simultaneously by the input signal. larity of the input signal is either partially or completely suppressed. If the crystal is of the N type the negative portion of the input signal will be suppressed either partially or completely. If the negative portion of the input signal is completely suppressed, only the positive portion of the input signal is amplified and may be developed with reversed polarity across the external collector. impedance.

Consequently, a predetermined poder of 2 to 5 mils.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be'understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of a degenerative amplifier circuit embodying the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a graph illustrating voltages and currents appearing at different points of the circuit of Figure 1.

Referring now'to Figure 1 there is illustrated a degenerative amplifier circuit utilizing a multielectrode semi-conductor device disclosed in applicants copending application above referred to.

The device comprises an amplifier section in-- cluding a block in of semi-conducting material which may consist, for example of germanium, silicon, boron, tellurium or selenium containing a small but sufiicient number of atomic impurity centers or lattice imperfections, as commonly employed for best results in crystal rectifiers. Germanium is the preferred material for block if] and may be prepared so as to be an electronic N type semi-conductor, as is well known. The surface of semi-conducting body or block it may be polished and etched in a conventional manner. It is also feasible to utilize the germanium block from acommercial high-back-voltage rectifier such as the type 1N34= in which case further surface treatment may not be required.

Semi-conducting body it is provided in a conventional manner with emitter electrode i 5, collector electrode i2 and base electrode [3. Emitter electrode II and collector electrode 12 are in rectifying, high-resistance contact with body it and may, for example, be point contacts which may consist, for example, of tungsten or Phosphor-bronze wires having a diameter of the or- Emitter and collector electrodes H and I2 are ordinarily placed closely ad- Jacent to each other and may be separated by a distance of a few mils. ,Base electrode 53 provides a. large-area, low-resistance contact with the bulk of semi-conductor Ill. Emitter electrode ll, collector electrode i2 and base electrode it form the amplifier section of the device.

Rectifier electrode I4 is also a rectifying electrode which may be a point contact and is spaced from emitter electrode H and collector electrode 12 such a distance as to prevent substantial in- 3 teraction through surface conduction between rectifier electrod III on the one hand and emitter electrode I I and collector electrode I2 on the other hand. Thus, rectifier electrode It should be spaced no less than 20 mils from either emitter electrode II or collector electrode I2. In order to improve the operation of the amplifier section II, I2, I3, collector electrode I2 may be pulsed by discharging a capacitor between collector electrode I2 and base I3 while current is permitted to flow between emitter I! and collector I2. In that case, rectifier electrode It should be disconnected while the collector electrode is pulsed. If body II] consists of an N typ electronic semi-conductor such as an N type germanium crystal, rectifier electrode I4 forms the anode of the rectifier section as indicated.

In that case, base electrode I3 functions as the cathode of the rectifier section. It is, however, also feasible to utilize a body I consisting of a P type electronic semieconducting material such as a P type germanium crystal, In that case, rectifier electrode I I would be the cathode of the rectifier section while base electrode I3 would be its anode. For the following discussion, however, it is assumed that body II! consists of an N type electronic semi-conducting material.

Base electrode I3 is connected to ground through resistors I5 and I 6 connected in series. An input signal is impressed on input terminals I'I. One of the input terminals is, grounded while the other terminal is coupled through capacitor I8 to the junction point between resistors I5 and I6. Emitter electrode II is grounded as shown. Collector electrode I2 is connected to ground through the series combination of resistor 29 and battery ZI having its positive terminal grounded, Capacitor 22 may be connected across battery ZI for bypassing alternating currents.

Accordingly, a negative voltage is impressed on s collector electrode I2. Generally, collector elecde 2 s ld be bas d th re p ct o as electrode I3 in a reverse direction. This requires a negative bias voltage in case body II] consists of n N type cry tal- However, if o y I0 s oul consists of a P type crystal, collector electrode I2 should be supplied with a Positive potential. The current flowing between collector electrode a e electrode I3 and through resistors I5 d 6 will normally maintain the base electrode at a negative potential with respect to ground. Consequently, emitter electrode I I is positive with respect to base electrode I3, that is, it is biased in a forward direction,

The output signal may be derived across col- P lector resistor 20. Thus, the output signal may be obtained through output terminals 23, one of which is grounded While the other is coupled to collector electrode I2 through coupling capacitor 24. In accordance with the present invention, a feedback connection 25 is provided between collector electrode I2 and anode or rectifier electrode I l. The feedback connection includes capacitor 26 and resistor 21 connected in series. A portion of resistor 21 may be bypassed by variable tap 28.

The operation of the degenerative amplifier of the present invention will be more clearly understood by reference to Figure 2. Let it first be assumed that no feedback connection 25 is provided between collector electrode I2 and anode I4. In that case, the circuit of Figure 1 functions as an amplifier without feedback. The input signal impressed on input terminals I I is shown at 30 in Figure 2. For convenience, input signal 3D has been shown as a sine wave but it is to be understood that other types of input signals may be used. The input signal SI) is impressed across resistor it. The voltage developed at the junction point between resistors 55 and I6 is then impressed on base electrode I3. During the positive portion of the input signal, base electrode I3 is accordingly made more positive or less negative. Consequently, the voltage between emitter electrode II which is maintained at ground potential, and base electrode I3 is reduced. This, in turn, will reduce the collector current flowing through collector resistor so that collector electrode i2 becomes more negative as shown by curve SI,

During the negative portion of the input signal, base electrode I3 becomes more negative, thus increasing the voltage between emitter electrode II and base electrode I3. This will increase the collector current flowing through collector resistor 29. The thus produced voltage drop across resistor 2f: will render collector electrode I2 more positive as clearly shown by curve 3|.

Let it now be assumed that feedback connection is present. As long as collector electrode I2 is more negative corresponding to a positive DOrtiOrl 0f the p t signal, no current will fiow between anode I 2 and base electrode I3. However, as soon as collector electrode It becomes more positive anode I i will become positive with respect to base electrode I3. Consequently, a current will flow between anode Id and base electrode I3 which has been shown by curve 32 in Figure 2. This current may be traced from anode Id to base electrode I3, resistors I5, I6 and back through battery 2|, resistor 29, collector electrode I2 to anode Id, The charge which may accumulate in capacitor 26 will leak off through the high back-resistance of the rectifier circuit, that is, through anode III, base electrode I3, re sistors I5, I6 and back through the collector circuit. The back-resistance of rectifier section Id, I3 is not infinite but of such a size as to provide for a direct current return connection between anode Id and base electrode I3. This current through the rectifier section of the circuit has been indicated by ii in Figure 1 and its direction is shown by arrow 33. It will now be seen that this current flowing through resistors I5 and It will oppose the current flowing in the opposite direction through resistor It in response to the negative portion of the input signal.

The combined voltage impressed on base electrode I3 is shown, by curve 34. Thus, the positive portion of the input signal remains unchanged because the rectifier section M, I3. remains substantially non-conducting. However, the current flowing through rectifier section It, Ilin response to collector electrode I2 becoming more positive partially or completely cancels the current flowing through resistor I 5 in re po t the input signal, The amount of current flowing through feedback connection 25 may be controlled by variable tap 2.8 so that any de-v sired por ion of the input signal current may back connection 25 provides a low impedance Resistor ohms 1,000 Resistor l6 do 1,000 Resistor 20 do 50,000 Resistor 21 do 1,000,000 Capacitor l8 microfarads .004 Capacitor 26 do .001 Capacitor 2d"v do 1 02 Capacitor 22 do 2 Battery 21 volts 0 There has thus been disclosed a degenerative amplifier including a semi-conductor device having an amplifier section and a rectifier section. The amplifier may be used to clip the negative portion of the input signal while the positive portion is amplified. Alternatively, only a predetermined portion of the negative portion of the input signal may be clipped by adjusting a resistor in the degenerative feedback connection.

What is claimed is:

1. A degenerative amplifier comprising a semiconductor device, said device including a semiconducting body, a base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode in contact with said body, a further electrode in rectifying contact with said body and spaced from said emitter and collector electrodes such a larger distance than the distance between said emitter and collector electrodes as to prevent substantial interaction between said further electrode and said emitter and collector electrodes, said further electrode cooperating with said base electrode to provide a rectifier, said base electrode, said emitter electrode and said collector electrode cooperating to provide an amplifier; a first impedance element connected in circuit between said base and emitter electrodes, means for impressing a reverse bias voltage between said collector and base electrodes, a second impedance element connected in circuit between said collector and emitter electrodes, an input circuit connected across a portion of said first impedance element for impressing an input signal thereon, an output circuit connected across said second impedance element for deriving an amplified output signal therefrom,'and a feedback connection between said further electrode and said collector electrode to impress said amplified output signal on said further electrode and to develop a current through said first impedance element and said base electrode in response to a predetermined polarity of said output signal, said current opposing the current developed simultaneously by the opposite polarity of said input ignal across said first impedance element and on said base electrode.

2. A degenerative amplifier as defined in claim 1 wherein said first impedance element is an unbypassed resistor and wherein a further impedance element is included in said feedback connection.

3. A degenerative amplifier comprising a semiconductor device, said device including a semiconducting body, a base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode in contact with said body, and a further electrode in rectifying contact with said body, said further elec trode being spaced from said emitter and collector electrodes such a distance as to prevent substantially any interaction between said further electrode and said emitter and collector electrodes, said further electrode cooperating with said base electrode to provide a rectifier, said base electrode, said emitter electrode and said collector electrode cooperating to provide an amplifier; a first impedance element connected between said base electrode and a point of substantially fixed potential, said emitter electrode being connected to said point, a source of voltage and a second impedance element connected serially between said collector electrode and said point, said source being so poled as to impress a reverse voltage between said collector and base electrodes, a feedback connection including a third impedance element connected between said collector electrode and said further electrode, an input circuit for applying an input signal between said point and a portion of said first impedance element, and an output circuit connected across said second impedance element, whereby the current flowing between said further electrode and said base electrode and through said first impedance element in response to a predetermined polarity of the input signal opposes the current flowing through said first impedance element in response to said predetermined polarity of the impressed input signal.

4. A degenerative amplifier as defined in claim 3 wherein said first impedance element is an unbypassed resistor.

5. A degenerative amplifier as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second impedance elements are resistors and wherein said third impedance element includes a further resistor and a capacitor connected serially between said collector electrode and said further electrode.

6. A degenerative amplifier comprising a semiconductor device, said device including an N type semi-conducting body, a base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode in contact with said body, a further electrode in rectifying contact with said body, and spaced from said emitter and collector electrodes such a distance as to prevent substantial interaction between said further electrode and said emitter and collector electrodes, said further electrode and said base electrode constituting respectively the anode and cathode of a rectifier, said base, emitter and collector electrodes constituting an amplifier; a first impedance element connected between said base electrode and ground, an input circuit connected between an intermediate point of said first element and ground for impressing an input signal on said base electrode, said emitter electrode being grounded, a source of voltage and a second impedance element connected in series, the positive terminal of said source being grounded and said second element being connected to said collector electrode, an output circuit coupled across said second element, and a feedback connection between said collector electrode and said further electrode, thereby to develop a current flowing through said further electrode, said base electrode and said first element in response to the negative portion of the input signal which opposes the current fiowing in response to said negative portion of the input signal through said first element.

7. A degenerative amplifier comprising a. semiaemess 7 conductor device, said device including an N type semi-conducting body, a base electrode, an emit,- ter electrode and a collector electrode in contact with said body, a further electrode in rectifying contact with said body and spaced from said emitter and collector-electrodes such a distance as to-prevent substantial interaction between said fur-ther electrode and said emitter and collector electrodes, said further electrode and said base electrode constituting respectively the anode and cathode'ef a rectifier, said base, emitter and c01- lector electrodes constituting an amplifier; a first resistorconneoted between said base electrode and ground, an input circuit connected between an intermediate point of said first resistor and ground for impressing an input signal on said -base electrode, said emitter electrode being grounded, a source of voltage and a second resistor connectedin series, the positive terminal of said source being grounded and said second re sistor being connected to said collector electrode, a capacitor and a third resistor connected between said collector electrode and said further electrode, an output circuit coupled across said second resistor, and said third resistor being adinstable, thereby to. adjustthe portion of the current flowing thlOllgh said further electrode. said base electrode and said first resistor in response to the negative portion of the input signal only.

Refierences' Cited the file: Qf. this.- patent OTHER REFERENCES Electronics, September 1948, pp. 68-71. in 179-1'71-MB-v Ehysical Review, July 15, 1948, pp. 231-232. CODY in l'IQ-I'TI-FMB. 

